My young friend, Nikki Hodgson, responded to my rambling piece about Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, non-violence and my aging musings over what is the compassionate response to a violent world with words of encouragement and a link to her piece below that ran on Matador Network: http://matadornetwork.com/change/what-i-learned-in-jerusalem/ She wrote what I wish I had. It is … [read more]
Narrative
The Colorado Flood of 2013- The Heart of the Matter
The Colorado Flood of 2013 The Heart of the Matter 24 September The Flood of 2013 has faded in the national news, slipped “below the fold”, or to Page Six, replaced by other real tragedies like Nairobi, or childish tantrums in Washington, or The Emmy’s. It takes a huge tragedy to pass the “ADD-gate” … [read more]
That Time of the Year
Late December, 2013 Boulder County, Colorado, USA Dear Friends, Despite what may follow here, I do sincerely wish you happiness, good health, and the kinds of fulfillment you desire, today, tomorrow, next month, and in the coming year. The nature or complexion of that fulfillment is not for me to decide or prescribe. One of … [read more]
Happy Birthday, Gary
Riprap -Gary Snyder From Turtle Island, New Directions Press, 1974 Lay down these words Before your mind like rocks. placed solid, by hands In choice of place, set Before the body of the mind in space and time: Solidity of bark, leaf or wall riprap of things: Cobble of milky way, straying planets, These … [read more]
Manifesto for warm-hearted bi-ped earth-walkers- Nikki Hodgson
Friends, Many of you know Michael Hodgson. Some know his daughter Nikki. Nikki has followed in the little guy’s footsteps, and made a real mark for herself as a writer. Her pieces from Palestine a few years ago were among the best writing from there I have seen: human-scaled and visceral, leaving the reader with … [read more]
The People
Gary Snyder’s conclusion of “For The Children” is a complete prescription for humanity:“Stay together, learn the flowers, go light.” Nothing is left out. I see us, through the restaurant window, together and not, going here and there, going on. There are no other politics. The People Rain slick streets of Shanghai lie worn but resolute … [read more]